The last piece of the puzzle was a vacany/cancellation at Berg-en-Dal.

As 'The Beasts' fuel consumption is twice my sedan's, the sedan got the nob. Viewing was fine...indeed perhaps even better as we 'looked' under the trees, whereas with the height of 'the Beast' we would be looking into the 'bulk'of the trees. (My excuse anyway). The only problem being too close to the dust from the front wheels....more about that later.

For the first time ever we were actually going to break up the drive to Joburg. One night at Karoo NP and then 2 nights at Mokala NP. 3 easy legs up. Back over 2 days (the last on my birthday). Plenty of time to shop inbetween, so we did not lug 'the kitchen sink' around with us (as per normal).

Time to test SO's birthday present, Canon Powershot SX40 HS. I will indicate which pics where hers or her camera. her reach was further than mine....focus a little tricky and shots took a llittle longer.... than my Canon 450 with 55-250 lens. She had a number of throw aways but a number of good pics. Lots of learning required.

I suggested to SO that perhaps it was a Lesser Kudu, the normal one used to be referred to as a Greater Kudu...technology came into play, googled on my phone to find from Wiki "..... is a forest antelope found in East Africa"..... no can't be a Lesser Kudu.....even the picture shows a very different animal..